Helical plate condenser



Patented Sept. 28, 1926.

UNITED STATES LOUIS DIAMOND, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

HELICAL PLATE CONDENSER.

Application filed July 27, 1925.

This invention relates to radio receiving apparatus and particularly pertains to a variable condenser.

lt the principal object of the present invention to generally improve devices of the character referred to whereby to provide a condenser which may be finely adjusted with greater ease than prior devices of this nature.

In carrying out this object I provide interziieshing sets of plates which arefhelical in form and which may be relatively adjusted by screw means to a desired degree;

One form which the invention may assume is exemplified in the following descrip tion and illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section view through a. condenser embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken on line 2----2 of Fig. 1 and disclosing certain details of construction.

Referring more particularly to the accompanying drawings, indicates a panel supportii'ig a condenser frame 11. This frame arises end plates 12 and 14 which are rigidly connected by frame rods 15. The plate 12 is secured to the panel 10 to support the condenser frame in position thereon. an operating shaft 16 extends axially through the condenser frame and the panel and fitted with a knob 17 at its outer end by which it may be revolved. The other end of th s shaft is squared and is fitted with an insulating bushing 18 upon which a disk 19 is secured. This disk is formed with a trunnion 20 which is rotatably received in a lqiearing 21 formed on the frame plate 14. he shaft is fitted with a nut 22 which secures the linishing 18 and the disk 19 on the shaft. The bushing 18 acts to insulate the disk and the frame from the shaft 16. The rods 15 of the frame are insulated from the frame plate 14. This permits one leg of the ci :uit to be connected to the rods 15 and the other leg to be connected to the plate 14 of the frantic which will lead the current to the disk 19 and thence to a set of helical plates 23 carried by the disk 19.

l n the present instance I have shown the set of plates 23 as formed of two plates mind in two complete convolutions. The pitch of these plates is exaggerated in the drawii'ig for the sake of clearness. It is understood, however, that any number of Serial No. 46,222.

plates may be employed. These lates are wound in a multiple screw threa To cooperate with the female set of plates 23, I provide a male set of plates 24 which are adapted to mesh with the set of plates 23. This set 24 is secured on or formed integrally with a sle'eve25 which is formed with a feed nut 26 at its inner end. This feed nut engages screw threads 27 on the operating shaft 16. These threads are of the same pitch as the pitch of the convolutions of the plates.

The sleeve is formed with featherways on diametrically opposed sides of its bore which are engaged by feathers 28 formed on a sleeve shaft 29 whichis rotatably disposed on the operating shaft 16. This sleeve shaft is held from axial movement. At one end of the sleeve shaft a pinion 30 is formed which meshes with an idler gear 31 carried by the frame plate 12. Fixed to this idler gear 31 is a pinion 32 which meshes with a gear This gear is formed on a sleeve which extends through the plate 12 and panel 10, and is secured in a knob 34 which is interposed between the knob 17 and the panel.

By rotating this knob 34, rotation will be transmitted through the gear 33, the pinion 32, the idler gear 31, to the pinion 30 on the sleeve shaft 29 and cause the latter to re volve at a considerably greater rate of speed than that of the knob 34:. For example, it may be desired that one-half turn of the knob 34: be suflicient to revolve the set of plates 24 two complete turns and cause full meshing of the sets of plates 23 and 24.

It is obvious that when the sleeve shaft 29 is revolved that the sleeve 25 carrying the plate will be revolved. Due to the threaded connection between the shaft 22" and the feed nut 26 on the sleeve 25, the plates 2% will be caused to advance into mesh with the plates 23 which will rema n stationary. This adjustment of the plates is a rapid one and is sutlicient for some pur poses.

To obtain a very fine adjustment of the plates, the shaft 16 is revolved by means of the knob 17. This causes the disk 19 to revolve, consequently revolving the set of plates 23. Also by revolving the shaft the threaded connection between it and the feed nut 26 causes the plates to move axially at a slow rate of speed relative to the plates 23. It is obvious that by this adjustment a manner. 7

very fine adjustment of the plates can be obtained.

It is obvious that the electrical connection to the rods 15 of the frame will cause the current to pass through these rods through the frame plate 12 and thence to the shaft 16 and the plates 2%. The other leg of the current is led to the plate 14, thence to the disk 19, and consequently the plates 23.

In the present instance I have shown but two plates in each set, each plate forming two complete convolutions. It is apparent that the plates may be of any number and pitch desired, and of any length. Also, but one plate in each set may be employed with a simple screw action for relatively adjusting them, thus eliminating one of the operating means shown in the present application.

It may be desired to make a simple condenser wherein the plates of each set are in one single convolution. One set of plates will remain stationary while the others will be directly connected to one knob. Theretore, one complete turn of the knob would give the full adjustment of the plates.

In using gearing, such as shown in the present application, to transmit the movement from one knob to the movable plates. it preferred that one complete turn of the knob advance or retract the movable plates the complete amount of adjustment, thus giving a full dial tor graduations.

llhile I have shown the preferred form of my invention, it is to be understood that 0 various changes in its construction may be made by those skilled in the art without dcparting from the spirit of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A condenser comprising a pair of relatively movable helical plates adapted to interinesh and arranged in axial alignment, means for rapidly advancing the plates into mesh or retracting the same therefrom, and means cooperating therewith to finely adjust the relative positions of the plates.

2. A condenser comprising a pair of relatively movable helical plates adapted to interinesh and arranged in axial alignment, and a pair of operating means for relatively adjusting said plates permitting different degrees of adjustment.

LOUIS DIAMOND. 

